9 Best Kambo Retreats in 2024
Kambo is an indigenous Amazonian medicine that offers powerful healing for your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. For centuries, kambo has been an integral part of sacred shamanic medicine, and today it’s still used in rituals and ceremonies all around the world. Keep reading to learn more about the 9 best kambo retreats for 2024 and beyond.
What is kambo?
Kambo — otherwise known as ‘frog medicine’ — is a mildly psychoactive venom that comes from the Amazonian giant monkey frog. Though kambo isn’t a psychedelic drug in the traditional sense, it’s often grouped alongside other plant medicines that fall into this category. Kambo is perhaps best known for its natural antibiotic, anesthetic, and anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it’s used to address infections, relieve pain, and boost the immune system.
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9 best kambo retreats for 2024
1. Best overall kambo retreat: Rainforest Healing Center
Anyone who’s participating in an ayahuasca ceremony at the Rainforest Healing Center can add kambo to their experience, as well. Because the kambo has powerful purging and cleansing properties, it’s typically administered before the ayahuasca to prepare guests for the next phase of their healing journey. While this retreat center recently went under new management, they’re still facilitating the same powerful, life-affirming transformations via native plant medicine.
Location(s): Iquitos, Peru
Price: inquire on their website for availability and pricing
2. Best solo traveler kambo retreat: Eco Villa Magica
For all our solo traveler friends out there, Eco Villa Magica is one of the best kambo retreats you can visit. Not only do they offer “customized packages in comfortable hotels across the Sacred Valley all year around,” but each of these packages is specifically geared towards small groups and solo travelers. Essentially, you work with the Eco Villa team to build your perfect journey — i.e. they’ll listen to your intentions and build a unique experience according to your needs.
Location(s): Cusco, Peru
Price: $1,290 for a 10-day retreat
3. Best private kambo retreat: Bufo Alvarius Sanctuary
Bufo Alvarius Sanctuary invites you to wake up your higher self by clearing your mind of “limiting beliefs that are inhibiting you from reaching your highest potential.” Although this retreat center is largely focused on Bufo, they do offer private kambo detoxification with a female facilitator — making it a great option for anyone who wants to interact with both psychedelics. Guests can also take advantage of sound healing, saunas, and Epsom salt sensory deprivation.
Location(s): Tulum, Mexico
Price: $700 for a 4-day retreat
4. Best off the grid kambo retreat: Xochipilli Retreat Center
For anyone who wants an off the grid kambo experience, Xochipilli Retreat Center is the way to go. Because this retreat is located in a lush jungle oasis, guests are fully removed from the distractions of everyday life. The grounds feature a private garden, relaxation pool, and a number of hammocks where you can rest beneath the palms. And that goes without mentioning the multiple kambo ceremonies, sweat lodge, and private life coaching sessions for each guest.
Location(s): Cancún, Mexico
Price: $2,150 for a 7-day retreat
5. Best affordable kambo retreat: Sadhana Lodge
Psychedelic retreats can get pretty pricey, but fortunately, the 2-night kambo retreat at Sadhana Lodge is a little easier to budget for. Along with private consultations with their on-site shaman, Sadhana Lodge offers a thorough explanation of the kambo inhalation technique so guests are guaranteed to have the best possible experience. Plus, the kambo session can happen in conjunction with Bufo alvarius, meaning you can enjoy an even deeper therapeutic treatment.
Location(s): Cancún, Mexico
Price: $490 for a 2-night retreat
6. Best luxurious kambo retreat: The Embodied Evolution
The Embodied Evolution, located in the jungles of Costa Rica, assists you on the journey of personal expansion and exploration in a safe and sacred way. This retreat provides two weeks of preparation as well as two weeks of integration before/after your visit to ensure you feel fully supported at every step. They also offer luxury accommodations in addition to sound baths, breathwork sessions, and 3 distinct plant ceremonies — kambo, ayahuasca, and San Pedro.
Location(s): Nosara, Costa Rica
Price: $2,999 for a 7-day retreat
7. Best European kambo retreat: International Wellness Farm
Sweden’s International Wellness Farm holds a group kambo retreat on the last Friday of every month. These retreats are accompanied by a co-creative musical experience, and are designed to help you “find a way through to the next iteration of You.” There are actually a total of 3 kambo ceremonies held over the course of 2 nights, so guests are sure to have a very impactful visit. With that said, there’s also the option to participate in a 1-day kambo experience instead.
Location(s): Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
Price: inquire on their website for availability and pricing
8. Best value-added kambo retreat: MexiSoul Retreats
MexiSoul Retreats is an established healing center in Jalisco, Mexico that hosts multi-day retreats for its guests. Each retreat is all-inclusive and comes with ayahuasca ceremonies, kambo ceremonies, a fire circle ceremony, access to a sweat lodge, and the option to add Bufo alvarius, as well. On top of all that, the MexiSoul facility offers yin yoga classes, horseback riding, art therapy, and a rock climbing wall (among other value-added amenities and activities).
Location(s): Jalisco, Mexico
Price: $1,400 for a 7-day retreat
9. Best no-frills kambo retreat: Xanga Guru
While Xanga Guru is an incredible retreat center in its own right, it doesn't offer many of the extras you see from other recommendations on our list. In fact, Xanga Guru’s website says guests should bring their own toilet paper, mosquito repellent, and bottle of water. If those pre-reqs don’t bother you, you’re likely to enjoy how this retreat combines sacred plant medicine and psychoactive substances to create a one-of-a-kind, peak experience for each participant.
Location(s): Cancún, Mexico
Price: $1,900 for a 5-day retreat
Kambo retreats - common FAQs
What happens in a kambo ceremony?
During a kambo ceremony, a shamanic healer burns several superficial holes onto a person’s skin (typically along the shoulder, leg, or foot). After that, the shaman applies a kambo secretion to the wound and leaves it on for about 15 minutes. The initial burn makes it easier for the body to absorb the toxins from the secretion so you really get the full benefits of this treatment.
How long does kambo last?
Generally speaking, the kambo symptom-complex lasts anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. In very rare cases, however, the kambo may last several hours before its effect wears off.
How much should I expect to spend on a kambo retreat?
The cost for attending a kambo retreat depends on where you’re traveling to, the level of your accommodations, as well as the length of your stay (ranging from two days to a full week or more). Some kambo retreats can run as little as $500, while others cost a few thousand dollars for more upscale lodging, amenities, and services provided.